The Delta independent., 1887-02-08
IN WIG AND GOWN.

absence. had gone alone, or rather with
her maid. She had stayed the night il
town in order to bring with her dress
for a ball which was to be given at the
castle the following evening.
AT last the carriage dashed up to the
door, driven very fast, for the coach
man knew it was very late. The frs
person who emerged from the carriage
was an exceedingly quiet-looking, we'll
dressed young woman-the maid evi
IDENTIFY. She quickly disappeared and
was followed by Lady Hayward. whose
arm was instantly seized by her hus
band.
Il want to speak to you before yor
dress; there's just time"
He followed her up to her room,
where tea was waiting on little table
by the fire. Lady Hayward's maid had
Just put on an easy wrapper temptingly
ready, and was busy getting out hel
dinner dress for her mistress.
Il will send for you in few minutes,
Taylor" said Lady Hayward; and the
perfectly-trained servant vanished al
once.
Il wonder if it's that girl after allr'
exclaimed Lord Hayward; '.yet il
seems impossible"
Don't talk enigmas," said Lady
Hayward. imperiously. ''there isn't
time. What is the matter?" She was
pouring out her tea as she spoke, and
now began to sip it.
more things have disappeared. -
said Lord Hayward in low voice,
land this time it's worse. The old
duchess has lost her diamond ring, and
your sisters diamond necklace is
gone"
Lady Hayward put down her tea
"What are we to do? Who can it be?
It's absurd to talk about Taylor; she
was with me in town."
"Ah, but we can't tell exactly what
time the things were taken; she may
have gotten rid of them in London. 1t
was when You took her to town with
you last that your diamond brooch
went"
$50 it was," said Lady Hayward.
"But that makes no difference. The
brooch was taken while we were away.
Besides. the thing is absurd. Taylor is
above suspicion, l know the girl SO
well. Why, Vernon, she went with me
all through France and Italy when l
joined you in Rome; we were ALWAYS
together, and used to talk to her q
great deal. She is very superior girl.
No; it would be most unjust to suspect
Taylor"
well, there is no one else," said
Lord Hayward, dejectedly, except
poor little Rose Mannering."
Poor little Rose Mannerine'' was
the governess who took charge Of their
one little girl.
"Absurd!' said Lady Hayward. And
so it was on the face of it. They knew
Rose Mannering's family well; she was
lady, and little more than a child.
A silence followed, during which they
both looked into the fire for inspira-
ton. All the servants in the house
were born of families who had been for
generations on the estate. The idea of
suspecting any of them was painful.
Taylor was the only exception. and she
had been with Lady Hayward for two
years.
Il begin to believe" said Lady Hay
ward. THAT it is one of our guests"
'Good heavens. Kate, what an
idear'
'Can you suggest anything else?"
"No. l can't There's some Internal
deviltry at work, but beat my brains
how will, l cannot see where it comes
FROM"
II tell you what we must do, Yer
non," said Lady Hayward decisively.
"We must be very careful not to
frighten any one, and keep our own
counsel. Ride over to the town to.
morrow morning and telegraph to
Scotland Yard for detective to come
down disguised to the ball. There will
be so many people the servants won't
have time to notice him. He must stop
on as visitor until he finds out some
thing"
THAT will do" exclaimed Lord
Hayward.
Now go, said Lady Hayward, ring
ing the bell for Taylor; II must dress
at once"
As he went out to meet the maid in
the doorway. and he gave her more
curious look than usual. The result
was to give up his idea as preposterous.
She had very gentle good face; her
soft brown hair, brushed smoothly
over her ears. gave it almost Puritan
ic look. Lady Hayward had made
something of friend of her, and the
girl had never presumed in the least
upon it, but had always retained her
subdued, sweet manner.
Lady Hayward scrutinized her, too,
during the process of dressing, but she
shrank from the thoughts in her own
mind. She had grown fond of the
treasure of a maid, and felt ashamed OF
her quickly suppressed suspicious.
Early next morning a telegram wa,
sent to Scotland Yard by Lord Hay
ward, who drove over alone to send i